The Spotlight is on Ken Coar The author of our Apache web server questions.

RN: Please tell us a little about yourself.

COAR: Ken Coar is a director and Vice President of the Apache Software Foundation, and a Senior Software Engineer with IBM. He has over two decades of experience with network software and applications, system administration, system programming, process analysis, and computer security. Ken has worked with the World-Wide Web since 1992, is a member of The Apache Group, the Association for Computing Machinery, an at-large member of ICANN, and is heading the project to develop Internet RFCs for CGI. He is the author of "Apache Server for Dummies", co-author of "Apache Server Unleashed" and is currently working on a new book, "Apache Module Development in C."

RN: What did you enjoy most about writing your Apache test?

COAR: It really caused me to stretch my imagination. When you are intimately involved with a project, many things are obvious to you that are not for others. Taking a step away and trying to determine what would be reasonable questions for a user (rather than a developer) of the software was a useful exercise.

RN: How did you first get involved in writing technical books?

COAR: Actually, IDG Books solicited me to be the author of 'Apache Server for Dummies.' I have always enjoyed teaching, and writing that book opened a lot of doors, so now I can keep my hand in through writing or speaking.

RN: Tell us about your latest book?

COAR: Right now I am working on a book entitled, 'Apache Module Development in C.' It will be a comprehensive reference for developers who want to augment the Apache software package by writing plugins (or 'modules' as they are called in the Apache world). There are currently some titles that cover this topic, but not with the depth and focus of this one.

RN: How do you keep up with changing technologies and the latest trends in the IT industry?

COAR: PI do not -- it is impossible. :-) However, I keep up as well as I can through attendance at technical conferences and especially email lists.

RN: Tell us a little about your ReviewNet test.

COAR: The Apache Web server has only been around for a few years (despite the fact that it runs more than fifteen million Web sites as of January 2000). As a consequence, writing advanced questions that require several years of experience to answer was a little problematic. However, anyone who can answer all of the questions correctly should have an excellent grasp of most of the server's built-in functionality.

RN: What advice would you give to someone learning your discipline? Are there significant barriers to learning about this subject?

COAR: The Apache software is continually under development, which makes it a moving target. However, there are numerous books and Web sites devoted to it, in addition to the mailing lists and USENET newsgroups where it is discussed. I think a good starting place would be with one or more of the books about Apache; a fairly comprehensive list is regularly updated at http://Apache-Server.Com/store.html

RN: What do you see as the future of Apache? Where would you like to see it go?

COAR: I would like to see the development process involve the requirements of the users more than it currently does. I expect Apache will continue to grow in popularity and functionality, along with the other projects of the Apache Software Foundation.

RN: When did you decide to get into the Information Technology field?

COAR:I did not so much decide as simply fall into it. One of my schools had Monroe programmable calculators, and from that point on I have been a computer-phile.